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South Carolina felony charges are serious, and the consequences of a conviction can be severe. If you are facing felony criminal charges, Bouley Law can help.
Led by committed and talented felony defense attorney Jennifer Bouley, Bouley Law meticulously investigates every case we take on. We work tirelessly to uncover every fact and legal defense that can be used to reduce the severity of the penalties you face or lead to the dismissal of your case.
Contact Bouley Law today to schedule a consultation to discuss your situation with a felony defense lawyer.
South Carolina law categorizes crimes as felonies or misdemeanors. Felony charges are reserved for more serious criminal offenses, such as those that involve death or serious physical harm to the victim, as well as many drug crimes and weapons offenses.
The primary difference between a felony and a misdemeanor is the severity of the punishment. Felony crimes are more serious than misdemeanors and are punished more severely. The most serious felony charges can lead to a sentence of life in prison or even the death penalty.
A felony conviction can result in the loss of many civil rights, including the right to vote, the right to own a firearm, the right to serve on a jury, the right to serve in elected office, and, in some cases, the ability to seek certain professional licenses.
South Carolina divides felony crimes into different classes based on the seriousness of the offense and the severity of the punishment.
| Class A Felonies | A Class A felony carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. Class A felonies include kidnapping, armed robbery, and attempted murder. |
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| Class B Felonies | A Class B felony is punishable by up to 25 years in prison. Examples include armed robbery, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature (ABHAN), and drug trafficking. |
| Class C Felonies | A Class C felony carries a sentence of up to 20 years. These include aggravated assault, many drug offenses, and certain weapons charges. |
| Class D Felonies | A Class D felony carries a maximum sentence of 15 years. Examples include second-degree burglary, embezzlement, and repeated stalking. |
| Class E Felonies | Class E felonies carry up to 10 years in prison and include fraud crimes, cruelty to animals, and stalking. |
| Class F Felonies | A Class F felony is punishable by up to 5 years. Examples include failure to register as a sex offender, animal fighting, and pointing a weapon at another person. |
Exempt felony charges do not follow this classification system and are reserved for the most serious offenses. The law prescribes a penalty for each crime.
Non-specified felonies do not carry a specific penalty other than being classified as a felony. A conviction for a non-specified felony can carry a penalty of between three months and 10 years in jail.
Exempted and non-specified felonies include murder, manslaughter, incest, first-degree burglary, and failure to register as a sex offender.
Aggravated murder is the only felony charge that carries the possibility of the death penalty.
South Carolina law also includes criminal sentence enhancements for repeat offenders. A person charged with a second or subsequent offense may face a longer maximum sentence, a mandatory minimum sentence, and fewer options for probation or parole.
If you were charged with a felony in South Carolina, Bouley Law can help. Felony attorney Jennifer Bouley can evaluate your situation, explain and help you evaluate your options, and mount a vigorous and forceful defense designed to win at trial or lead to a significant reduction in the likelihood of a conviction or the severity of penalties you could face.
When the stakes are high, you need a caring and compassionate defense. Contact Bouley Law today to schedule a confidential appointment to discuss your case.
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